The Russellville Democrat., 1887-12-07
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6 nfan's Life Wrecked by an Eucounfc
 With Knfiiaznul<na.

{ with Rattlesnakcs.
 i 4 tall, handsomely -dressed mnn, lean. l ing on tho arm of an attendant was walk 1 ing up Madison avenue Sunday just as q 1 vast throng of church-goers were return l ing home, says the New York World 1 Suddenly he stopped, looked at hIs legs in i frightened way, and fcll to the ground i in fit His body twisted and writhed in Q way horrible to see, and he made . strange noise which sounded like dozen angry rattlesnakes. The gentleman's attendant evidently knew just what to do. He raised the sufferers head so that he could not iniurs It on the sidewalk, and | quickly loosened tho fastenings of his l shirt. When tho first violence of the fit had worn off the attendant called on a bystander for help and removed the gen. tleman to n drug store. During the ft the gentleman's hat had rolled off, and also Q wig, leaving head exposed ns smooth as O billiard ball. While waiting for car riage the attendant told Q reporter re- markable story of how his master came to
 be so terribly afflicted.
 The gentleman is Mir. Francklyn Brush. Ten years ago Mir. Brush came to America from England to seek his fortune as q civil engineer. He had letters of
 
 place on the International & Great North orn railroad in Texas, which was then be- ing built He joined Major Benham's party as assistant engineer. One day in October, 1877, Major Benham sent Mfr. Brush to obtain certain papers from Cap tain Wardell, who was engineor in charge of the next division. He started on his twenty mile ride in tho morning and reached his destination shortly before noon. He refused m invitation to remain m Captain wardelps camp until the heat of the day had passed and at once started on his return journey. Half way between the two camps Mir. Brush became tired and dismounted from his horse. He found a shady place on a large rock overshad- owed by trees and stretched himself out | to rest.
 He had been asleep some time when he was awakened by q strange sensation. It seemed as though heavy weight was at- tached to each leg. When he opened his eyes an ominous rattling noise greeted his ears. Two huge rattlesnakes had coled about each of his legs, and at ths slightest motion the animals raised their heads, ready to strike. Afraid to move and filled with inexpressble terror, Mir. Brush lay hour after hour with the two big snakes coiled about him. At last the sun began to set, and the chill night air began to make the snakes uncomfortable. Slowly they unwound themselves from about Mir. Brush, and crawled into crevice in the rocks Then he mounted his horse and rode into camp. When his horse halted in front of Major Benham's tent, Mr. Brush fell from it in a fit. For three days le remained uncon- scious, passing from one fit into another, until his life was despaired Of At last he rallied sufficiently to be removed to San Antonio, where he remained in the hos pital for six months. During his illness svery hair dropped from his head. As soon as practicable Mr. Brush was taken 10 England, where he remained until q year ago, when, through the death of Q relative, he came into handsome proper l ty. He has been travelling under the care of nurse since then, but he is constantly subject to fits. It is the opinion of noted surgeons who have failed to effect cure that MT. Brush will die during one of these | fifs